Is Now the Time?

“Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, “and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. “I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army,”Ezekiel 38:1-4   NKJV

Much of the news this past week has surrounded the US sending forces to the Middle East in preparation for a possible attack on Iran.  The world is holding its breath while speculating on US intentions and if it will attack Iran directly.  Coupled with that are the recent protests in Iran against the ruling Islamic regime, which makes it seem entirely possible that the US and Israel might well work together to strike Iran proper.  Of course, these events have caused the subject of this passage from the prophet Ezekiel to take center stage and inevitably led to the question is now the time for its fulfillment?   

One of the more interesting things I have discovered over my years as a believer is just how often you learn something new from a passage in the Word that you have already studied. Many in the body are familiar with this passage and have read or listened to expositions on its meaning and future fulfillment.  Yet I have noticed that there is one particular fact contained in it which many, and myself included, have often failed to notice and that can be found in the word “hooks”.  You see, while many speculate on what exactly causes Magog, known today as modern day Russia, to invade Israel they seem to miss the fact that the word “hooks” is plural.

In other words, it is not just one reason which provokes this event to take place but several, which combined produce a compelling justification for an attempted invasion of Israel.  I also believe there is another reason God chooses to use the word “hooks” to describe Russia being pulled into this conflict.  Something we can never overlook is that while a fish can be tempted to take the bait, it goes without saying that they regret it immediately when they feel the hook.  Yet there will be no escape in this scenario as it is God Himself who is using the “hooks” to draw Russia into the conflict.  

Considering all of this, and the fact that many believe this prophecy is about to be fulfilled, we would be wise to investigate if there might be reasons for Russia to unwillingly be drawn into this conflict. If an attack on Iran were to occur, I believe it follows that Russia would certainly consider defending its huge monetary investment in Iran. 

“Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; “Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops—many people are with you. “Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them. “After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. “You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.”  Ezekiel 38:5-9  NKJV

Notice if you will, that the first nation listed here after Magog in the previous verses is Persia, or better known in our present day as Iran.  I mention that because in his teachings on this prophecy, the late Chuck Missler made the point that whenever there is a list of nations assembled for combat in the Old Testament, the second one mentioned is always the instigator. Considering how prominent Iran is in the news today, and the numerous reasons for it, I believe if we look closely at the relationship between Russia and Iran we can begin to see a few of the hooks God tells us about.  If we accept the premise that Iran is the instigator, I believe the primary reason Russia becomes involved is the simple fact that they have made a huge investment financially with Iran and as such, they are obligated to protect that investment at all costs.  

“ ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan: “You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’—“to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land.”  Ezekiel 38:10-12  NKJV

  

Many who choose to study biblical prophecy and apply it to current events in the Middle East are quick to point out that it is evident that not only are we living in the end times as described in the scriptures, the pressure needed to produce the explosion of end-time conflicts described in these verses from Ezekiel is occurring right before our eyes.  Especially intriguing is the fact that all of the countries mentioned in this passage, who in the past have not been on good terms with each other, are now aligned as allies and all consider the nation of Israel as a target of opportunity waiting only for a plausible excuse to attack. 

My thought today is that the stage seems to be set for some sort of engagement with the country of Iran which will threaten the investment that Russia has made with them.  When this occurs, Russia will be compelled to defend Iran in order to protect it.  The coming weeks may well see these thing begin to play out before our very eyes.  I believe that what the world has begun to realize and understand about the current administration in the US and specifically our president is that he means what he says.  The rulers in Iran are well aware of this fact and it stands to reason they are considering all of their options should the US follow through on its threats to attack, including consulting with Russia’s leadership on how to react.

Of course, when considering this prophetic conflict which the prophet Ezekiel tells us will happen, the question which immediately comes to mind is does it occur before or after the rapture of the Church?  It should come as no surprise that there are differing opinions on that subject but for what it is worth, I will share the conclusion I have come to, and the key to that can be found in the following passage.

“And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” says the Lord GOD, “that My fury will show in My face. “For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: ‘Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, ‘so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.’ “I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains,” says the Lord GOD. “Every man’s sword will be against his brother. “And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. “Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.” ’            Ezekiel 38:18-23  NKJV

What I believe, and most scholars as well, is that this conflict is the point in time when God chooses to reveal Himself to Israel in such a way that, as this passage says, “Then they shall know that I am the LORD”.  Since this is the time where God turns His attention back to Israel, I believe it only makes sense that He has first allowed Jesus to remove the Church in order to begin His focus on the nation of Israel and the fulfillment of the seventieth week of Daniel, otherwise known as the tribulation.

If the thought of what is to come makes you uneasy, understand that God has provided a way of escape for those who choose to believe that He sent His Son to die for our sins.  

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”         1 John 1:9  NKJV

If you are reading this and have never made the decision to accept Jesus Christ into your heart and accept the free gift of eternal life He has offered you, I urge you to do so right now. You can do that by praying this prayer and accepting the gift of eternal life God has offered you by the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

Dear Father in heaven, I believe in your son Jesus. I believe that He died on the cross for my sins, that He rose up from the grave, and that my sins are forgiven.  Forgive me of my sin, help me to walk with you, and thank you for saving me. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Keep watching.

Are You Groaning?

I have never forgotten this poster which was hung prominently on the wall of a gym I frequented years ago, and unfortunately, it has proven over time to be prophetic.  Truth be told as I watch the strength of my physical body slowly age for the worse, regardless of the effort I put in to delay the onset, change is inevitable.  One of the unfortunate results of that is I most certainly groan much more than I used to. The dictionary defines groaning as a mournful sound uttered in pain or grief, due to a sudden or continuing overburden.  O how I can relate.

“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.”            1 Corinthians 5:1-5  NKJV

Yet we find that the Bible tells us that there is another reason that we groan, and as funny as it may sound, it is usually a result of similar circumstances.  You see, we all recognize the fact that this body is just a temporary home for us until that day in which we will receive our new bodies as we enter into God’s presence.  Notice if you will that Paul uses the word tent to describe the bodies we now possess.  A tent is considered a temporary dwelling rather than a permanent one, and it is for this reason Paul describes our present bodies as such.  I think given a choice, most of us would prefer to live in a house rather than a tent and enjoy the permanence and protection a house affords.

Paul also mentions the fact that we groan because of our burdens.  I think most all of us have had occasion to be reminded of the physical limitations of the bodies we now have, and have longed for a stronger or more durable one.  Paul groaned under the weight of his own troubles, and he put it this way;

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”  Romans 8:18  NKJV

The promise we find here is that the glory of our new bodies will completely overshadow whatever we have endured while waiting for them.  Something that occurred to me while reading this passage was the statement that the future glory will be revealed in us, and not to us.  Ray Stedman put it this way; “The word literally means “into us”.  This glory is not going to be a spectator sport, where we will sit up in some cosmic grandstand and watch an amusing or beautiful performance in which we have no part.  We are to be on the stage.  We are going to be involved in it.  It is a glory that will be “revealed into us” and we are part of it.”  Paul also goes on to tell us this;

“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”  Romans 8:19-23  NKJV

Paul says that creation itself groans for the same reasons that we do.  At the fall, when sin entered this world, creation was corrupted just as we were and suffers because of it.  Have you ever considered that all of the natural disasters that occur around the world is nature’s way of “groaning”?  Hard as it might be to believe, Paul tells us in this passage that creation finds itself in much the same position as we do. When we are revealed in our new bodies, so too will creation receive its newness and this is what it is waiting for just as we are.

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.”  Revelation 21:1  NKJV

I have given quite a lot of thought lately to just how much I will enjoy my new body when the rapture occurs.  Obviously my present condition is the main reason but I can’t help but wonder if the troubles we face because of our physical predicaments are God’s way of helping us realize and look forward to the gift of an immortal, incorruptible body which will be ours for all of eternity?  After all, how could we enjoy fully all that Heaven has to offer if we still were walking around in an earthly body with all of the limitations it has?

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”       1 Corinthians 15:50-54  NKJV

“For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.”  Romans 8:22  NKJV

Now let me ask you a question here.  If, as Paul tells us, “creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed”, and  “the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs”, is it not logical to conclude that what the world describes as “natural disasters”, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, drought, floods, fires, etc. is just creations’ way of revealing its’ own expectation of deliverance just as we do?  In fact, you could easily make the point that as we are part of God’s creation, when Paul uses the phrase “whole creation” he is referring to us as well.  Now at first that might sound a little strange, but consider how often we are told much the same thing throughout the scriptures.

“Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the LORD. For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth.”        Psalms 96:11-13  NKJV

The heavens will rejoice, the earth itself will be glad, the sea will roar, the fields will be joyful, and even the trees will rejoice when Jesus returns at the end of the Great Tribulation to judge the world. However this verse also mentions “peoples”  rejoicing as well.  Jesus Himself said that the stones He created could cry out with rejoicing and praise in this passage from Luke describing His entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

“Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying:“ ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”  Luke 19:37-40  NKJV

So my thoughts are that if creation itself feels much as we do, and is waiting patiently (or impatiently) for the return of Christ, it seems logical to assume our expectations are the same.  We are waiting for the promise of His return and the expectation of deliverance from the effects of sin.  As I grow older I find myself appreciating more and more the promise of a new body that will never grow old, and a life free from my sin nature and the temptations to do wrong.  I’m sure many of you would agree with me, and have given thought as I have as to just what we can expect when we meet our Savior in the air.

Although I highly doubt that any true believer feels that there is a possibility of being disappointed when we finally get to Heaven, I think it is reasonable to assume that the reality of what we find when we do go home might be somewhat different from some of our expectations as to what life might be like.  I recall one time listening to a pastor from California talking about his expectations of surfing on the perfect endless wave in Heaven and wondering if he missed the description in Revelation which says there will be no more seas.   

The passage from Romans uses the phrase "earnest expectation" to describe what creation is feeling.  In the Greek, this phrase means "anxious and persistent".  Are you anxiously and persistently looking for the return of Christ, or are your expectations of what we will find when we get to heaven being overshadowed by your short term expectations on this earth?   While the decisions we make in this life surrounding our circumstances are certainly important, we should take care not to let them take away from our expectation of deliverance from this earth, and the joy that awaits us in eternity.

I’m more than willing to admit that I am groaning in this body of death an am eagerly awaiting the new one I will receive when Jesus takes me home.  As a believer, that is the promise He has made to me and to all who have made the choice to believe in Him. If you are reading this today and have never made the decision to allow Jesus Christ to come into your heart, and accept the free gift of eternal life He has offered you, I urge you to do so right now. You can do that by simply praying this prayer and accepting the gift of eternal life God has offered all of us by the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen.

Keep watching.

Waiting in the Wings

 

“I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive."   John 5:43  NKJV

Unsurprisingly, considering the days in which we live, attempts to positively identify this coming world leader who is also known as the antichrist, have increased dramatically. In many ways, it might seem appropriate given the times in which we live and the overwhelming evidence pointing to the nearness of the rapture of the Church.  Truthfully though, I and many other teachers believe it is a fruitless endeavor to attempt to identify him simply because the Bible makes it clear that his identity will not be positively revealed until he tries to convince the world that he is God.

 

In this passage we see Jesus making a statement to the Jewish leaders who were seeking to kill him because He claimed to be God.  Here Jesus prophecies that while they will reject Him and His claim, a time will come when the Jews will accept another man as their messiah.  This person is, of course, the man most often referred to as the antichrist, who comes as a man of peace but will ultimately plunge the entire world into war and suffering on a scale never before seen. If the world is as close to the tribulation as many believe, obviously this person is currently active on the world scene and in a position to assume his ultimate role.

 

“Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,”                        2 Thessalonians 2:1-9.  NKJV

In discussions on the subject of the antichrist, I have often been asked if I have any "favorites" as far as candidates for this position, and many have shared their picks with me.  Although the Bible gives us 43 names of this man, as well as a complete physical description, I believe we also need to understand that the Bible suggests it is fruitless for us to try and identify who he may be.  

There are, however, several points the Bible makes clear about the identity of this coming world leader which we as believers need to be aware of. Of these, the one that is the most important to our discussion here is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-9. It is here that Paul tells us that there is a prerequisite for the revealing of this man to the world and that is the removal of someone or something called "he who now letteth" or "he who now restrains" depending on the translation you use. 

Who or what is this "restrainer"? Some feel this is a reference to world governments that exist at the time, but the most common interpretation is that this is referring to the Holy Spirit which at this time is present in all believers, the body of Christ, also known as His Church. So if Paul tells us that in order for this man to be revealed the Church must be removed, it seems obvious he is talking about the rapture. The obvious conclusion from what Paul has to say is that we, the Church, won't be here when the Antichrist is revealed and begins his rule. 

 

This event, proclaiming himself to be God, occurs halfway through the seven year tribulation period so the question which should be on everyone’s mind is why is he not recognized before then?  I can’t say for certain, but the fact that this coming world ruler will be not only received with open arms, but embraced as the answer to all the world’s problems should certainly give us pause for thought. Although there will be those few who will understand who he really is,there is obviously something about this individual which makes him stand out from the other leaders of the time, and the result is that he will succeed in gathering a following which will propel him to a position of immense power.

“And in the latter time of their kingdom, When the transgressors have reached their fullness, A king shall arise, Having fierce features, Who understands sinister schemes. His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; He shall destroy fearfully, And shall prosper and thrive; He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people. “Through his cunning He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; And he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; But he shall be broken without human means.”  Daniel 8:23-25  NKJV

The truth is, what we are witnessing today occurring all around the world is Satan preparing the way for the emergence of his lackey, the antichrist.  Somehow this coming man of sin will rise to power by deceit and cunning while at the same time managing to broker and enforce a peace when so many before him have failed.  If we are as close to the end as many believe, this man is currently active on the world stage and being positioned by Satan. With the formation of a one world government as prominent in the thinking of the European Union, as well as many of the worlds leaders, it would certainly come as no surprise if the coming antichrist has been somehow involved in the politics of its gestation and waiting in the wings for his time to appear.

A natural question arises as to how much just one man can change the world in which we live? I'm sure that most people would come to the conclusion that one man can't, given the complexity of the world's governments, financial institutions, and even religions that exist today. Unfortunately though, the Bible makes it clear that there will be a man who not only can and will accomplish great change, but will also change the course of history by sending the earth as we know it on a path to certain destruction.

When discussing the coming antichrist, many have made the point of describing all of the attributes listed in God’s Word about this man as a way of explaining how he is able to somehow achieve the impossible. While not disagreeing about their importance I would like to suggest one simple explanation which may often be overlooked.  You see, in the passage above from Daniel we are told that although this coming world leader will be extremely strong, “his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power”.  So the question which follows is simply this; “if it’s not his power, who’s power is it?”  If we look at it this way, I believe the answer is clear as to where his power originates. 

“Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.”    Luke 4:5-6  NKJV

I’m sure many of you remember this passage from Luke, and the events which surround it.  Yet the point is clear that Satan, as the prince of this world, has the ability to not only control kingdoms, but to give their power to whomever he wishes.  That conclusion is obvious from the fact that Jesus does not dispute this statement when Satan makes it.  This then, is where the antichrist will get the power to control the kingdoms of the earth, and to enforce a peace between Israel and its enemies in the most volatile region in the world.  Yet it also raises another question that needs to be answered, as Jesus revealed in the passage from John at the beginning of this article, and that is why does the nation of Israel agree to this peace?

The Bible tells us that the very first problem that he appears to solve is the conflict between Israel and all the surrounding nations that seek to destroy it. How many nations, how many administrations, how many politicians, and how many years have so many tried to solve this problem with no success whatever? Yet this man does what no man has been able to do; enforce a peace agreement to that part of the world. That in itself will make this person a household name all over the world, but in effect, it will only serve to bring him to the attention of the entire world in order for him to begin to consolidate his power.  Then also, let’s not overlook the fact that according to Jesus’ own words, the nation of Israel will accept him as well.

I believe the simple answer as to why Israel chooses to place their security in the hands of the antichrist is that they believe he is their messiah.  Now if that sounds strange to you, it might be that there is an important part of Judaism many Christians are not aware of and it is simply this; in Judaism the coming messiah is not divine, but simply a great man descended from the Davidic line who will be a great political leader.  In the passage from Luke we see that the men talking with Jesus were disappointed because they were expecting a king who would “redeem Israel”. If we look closely at the thinking and especially the words of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, we are told the real reason they were so intent on putting Him to death.

"Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. " John 5:18  NKJV

Not only is it important to understand that the messiah Judaism is looking for is not divine, there is one other matter which will cause the nation of Israel to welcome him with open arms.  You see, something else Judaism believes is that the Jewish messiah will allow the rebuilding of the Temple and re-establish worship as it was in Old Testament times.  This, obviously, is an accomplishment many would consider equal to bringing peace to the Middle East.  The Jewish nation rebuilding their Temple for worship in the middle of a region which is almost totally Islamic, is to many, quite unbelievable.   Yet is it really so hard to understand if you consider the source of his power?

Given that his power and success is orchestrated by Satan himself, many might believe that there is no limit to what he might accomplish.  There are, however, within his seeming unlimited powers, the seeds of his own downfall.  While he will appear to be a savior to the world, his success will be short-lived and failure will be his ultimate accomplishment.  This, I believe, will be a result of a character flaw that many great men before him have suffered from, and one which we as a nation could say we see played out in our own political arena on a weekly basis.  Like many who have come before him, he too will fall from grace and his ultimate failure is guaranteed.

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."                John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, first Baron Acton

Most of you have probably heard this quote at one time or another, and in the case of the coming man of sin it could not be more appropriate. Although I choose not to speculate on possible candidates I will go so far as to say this. In my opinion, the individual who will someday become the antichrist is active right now in world politics. It’s just too late in the game for him to begin now to establish his resume.  I also believe he suffers from a terminal case of megalomania.  I believe it is fair to say that anyone with the desire to rule the entire world, who works towards that end, and eventually proclaims himself to be God, must suffer from this psychopathological condition and it is this which produces his downfall.

"I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things."  Daniel 7:8  NKJV

 

Here Daniel introduces us to this coming man of sin by calling him the “little horn”.  In the Bible, a horn is used to signify a strong ruler and in this verse it would seem applicable because the first thing he does is uproot three other horns as he starts to consolidate his power.  Most scholars agree that the scenario here is that this leader demonstrates his power by conquering three of the ten kingdoms (plucked up by the roots) and the remaining seven simply capitulate because they believe resistance is futile.  Obviously he has an agenda and his intent is for it to culminate in world domination. 

 

I find it curious too that we are given descriptions which not only give insight into his physical appearance but personality as well.  Remember we have already found that a horn signifies a strong ruler, yet notice also the passage mentions his eyes and his mouth.  Eyes signify intelligence and insight, along with a shrewd and clever personality which can deceive. Also the mouth which can speak “great things” which people will find attractive and believable, but in the end will be misleading and deceitful.  Remember his ultimate goal is to rule the entire world, so anything he says or does is to that end.

 

"The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,"   2 Thessalonians 2:9-11  NKJV

 

In the end, after all is said and done, you have to ask yourself why in the world do people accept this man of sin as their leader and embrace him with open arms?  Is he really so deceitful that the world is completely taken in by his lies and deception or is something else going on here?  A fact sometimes overlooked is that this man of sin somehow manages to rise from whatever position he now holds to the absolute ruler of the entire world in only three and one half years, when he sits in the temple and proclaims himself to be God.  Looking at the world as it is today, most if not all would say that the chances of that ever happening are virtually impossible.  Yet the Bible tells us it will happen and many, myself included, are convinced that it is going to happen very soon.

 

The stage certainly appears to have been set for someone with all of the answers to the worlds’ problems to appear.  If we are truly that close to the end of the age, there is one supremely important question that also needs to be asked.  If you have never made the decision to accept the salvation offered by the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I suggest you do that today so you too can spend eternity with our Father in Heaven, and watch all of these things unfold from there, rather than here.  If you are reading this and have never made the decision to accept Jesus Christ into your heart and accept the free gift of eternal life He has offered you, I urge you to do so right now. You can do that by praying this prayer and accepting the gift of eternal life God has offered you by the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me. Amen.

 

Keep watching.